When you bring together a group of people or create a team, there can be challenges and concerns (I wrote about some of them here.). But those problems and concerns shouldn’t dissuade us from creating peer groups. Recognizing the power of the peer group can create magic. Here are six specific powers that a peer group can create.
A Sense of Belonging
In a world of isolation and loneliness, we find solace and meaning when we are part of a group. As humans, even the most introverted among us have the need to be a part of something – to belong. The power of the peer group can create this sense and provide meaning and purpose in our lives. What can you learn from the times you have experienced this as part of a group?
Support and Empathy
In a group or team that has a shared sense of care and belonging, support emerges. No one is as strong as everyone – and life is something we do together. When we are a part of a strong peer group, we feel supported and likewise provide support for others. How can you create more support and empathy in the groups you are part of?
Reduced Stress
Sharing challenges and successes with peers can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Knowing that others are willing to help and support you makes life easier and reduces your stress. There can be some stress knowing that you might need to step up for others. But most find that is a great trade-off. How can you reduce your stress by leaning into being a part of the group/team?
Increased Accountability
Shared accountability might be the biggest power of a peer group. Consider it as the positive opposite of peer pressure. When we know others are relying on us, we tend to step up when needed. The assurance that others are doing the same leads us to reciprocate. Everyone wins. What can you learn from the times you felt that level of accountability to others?
Increased Motivation and Engagement
Each of the items we have talked about so far can aid individual motivation. People want to succeed as part of the team – they want to support the success of others. Healthy competition drives energy and advances individual and team success. Individual employee engagement will be higher when people are part of a strong team or group. How has your motivation and engagement been impacted by the teams you’ve been a part of?
Broader Perspectives and New Ideas
Any group will have people with different experiences and life lessons. You can typically expect to add in differences in gender, culture, education, and thinking styles. Now you have the opportunity for new and exciting ideas to emerge. But the power of the peer group doesn’t come from those facts. The broader perspective only helps when a group trusts and listens to each other. With that trust and mutual value come the emergence of new ideas and solutions.
I hope you have experienced some of these as proof of the power of the peer group. Further, I hope this list encourages you to create more of these powers in your groups/teams. That is part of our job as a leader – to help a group of peers become more together than they could ever be separately.
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